Countercurrent perspectives of sustainability

Question 1

What is weak sustainability?

Answer 1

Weak sustainability’s principle is that as long as the total capital stock (natural and human-made) remains constant, sustainable development can be achieved. Natural resources can be substituted assuming that technology can compensate for the depletion of natural resources.

Question 2

What is strong sustainability?

Answer 2

Strong sustainability argues that natural resources have unique features and intrinsic values that can’t be replaced by human-made capital. It recognises certain critical natural resources as irreplaceable.

Question 3

What is eco-socialism?

Answer 3

Eco-socialism is a political and economic ideology that combines aspects of socialism and environmentalism. It seeks to address social and ecological issues by advocating for a system that is socially just and ecologically sustainable.

Question 4

What is ecologism?

Answer 4

Ecologism argues that sustainability requires radical changes in human-nature relations and socio-political life.

Question 5

What is eco-anarchism?

Answer 5

Eco-anarchism states that the domination of nature stems from social hierarchy and state control. It advocates for decenralizaton, participatory democracy, and self-sufficiency.

Question 6

What is deep ecology?

Answer 6

Deep ecology is an environmental philosophy that advocates for a fundamental shift in humanity’s relationship with nature, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all living beings, regardless of their utility to humans.

Question 7

What is eco-feminism?

Answer 7

Eco-feminism is a movement and philosophy that links the exploitation of nature with the oppression of women, arguing that both stem from patriarchal systems of domination. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental and social justice, advocating for a more equitable and sustainable relationship between humans and the natural world

Question 8

Which author can be linked to neoliberalism?

Answer 8

Harvey, D. (2007)

Question 9

Where in the sustainability world do you see neoliberalism?

Answer 9

Neoliberalism is often seen in how environmental issues are approached through market-based solutions and the privatization of resources. For example, in carbon trading and offsets and the commodification of nature through ecosystem services